Fact Sheet 28A - Clearance of Cats and Dogs

This Fact Sheet sets out the Customs requirements for importing cats and dogs into New Zealand.

Are there any restrictions to importing cats and dogs into New Zealand?
What documents are required to enter a cat or dog?
Additional documents required to enter dogs
Exemptions from Import Controls on Dogs
Cats or dogs imported on visiting yachts
How do I know if there will be any Customs charges on my imported cat or dog?
Temporary importation of cats and dogs
What is the Customs value?
Are there any duty or valuation concessions applicable to cats and dogs?
Where do I go to get a Customs clearance?

Are there any restrictions to importing cats and dogs into New Zealand?

Yes. Both the New Zealand Customs Service and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) have a shared border responsibility to ensure that legislative requirements are met for all animal importations arriving in New Zealand.

Animal importations are subject to strict biosecurity standards administered by MAFBNZ. Before shipping a cat or dog to New Zealand, your first action should be to visit the MAFBNZ website at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz or contact MAFBNZ directly to enquire about what standards are required for the cat or dog you want to import. A biosecurity clearance is required for all animals entering New Zealand.

Before imported cats and dogs are released to their owners, Customs will require the owner or importer to formally enter the animal and pay any Goods and Services Tax (GST) charges that may be applicable upon importation. Customs will also ask to see the biosecurity clearance issued to the owner or importer by MAFBNZ before releasing the animal to you.

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What documents are required to enter a cat or dog?

When entering your cat or dog for Customs purposes, Customs will ask you for the following documentation:

(a) An invoice or receipt from the supplier showing the price paid for the animal. If the animal was a gift or acquired free of charge, then some form of evidence as to the actual value of the animal is required.

(b) An air waybill or Bill of Lading documentation that shows the method and cost of transporting the animal to New Zealand.

(c) A biosecurity clearance permit issued by MAFBNZ allowing the animal’s importation.

(d) Supplementary documentation such as vaccination certificates and evidence of ownership.
 
(e) Personal identification of the importer such as passport or driver’s licence.

(f) A completed NZCS 231 Imported Animal Clearance form.

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Additional documents required to enter dogs

The importation of a dog into New Zealand is prohibited unless that dog is accompanied by:

(a) Evidence of the dog’s registration in New Zealand; or

(b) A statutory declaration made on Customs Form 15 that the dog is not a prohibited species as specified in the Dog Control Act 1996.

A copy of the declaration is included at the end of this Fact Sheet.

For every dog importation there must be an accompanying certificate from a registered veterinarian in the country of export stating that "after due enquiry and/or physical examination of the dog, he/she has no reason to doubt the owner’s/importer’s advice that the dog, embryo, ova or semen is not one of the following breeds of dog:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Brazilian Fila
• Dogo Argentino
• Japanese Tosa.

This certificate is included in the biosecurity Import Health Standard form for animals that must be completed in the country of export before the animal is shipped to New Zealand. To assist importers of the same dog being transported regularly between Australia and New Zealand, it has been agreed that this certificate need only be completed the first time the dog is exported to New Zealand. The original copy of the certificate should be attached to any subsequent Import Health Standard form.

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Exemptions from Import Controls on Dogs

The import prohibition controls on dogs do not apply to:

(a) Dogs that have been registered under the Dog Control Act 1996;

(b) Guide and hearing dogs;

(c) A companion dog accompanying a blind or partially sighted person, a deaf or hearing impaired person, a person with any other disability, or a person genuinely engaged in training the guide dog, hearing ear dog, or companion dog;

(d) Dogs imported by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind;

(e) Dogs that are being used for the purpose of carrying out a function, duty or purpose by approved Government organisations.

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Cats or dogs imported on visiting yachts

Persons considering importing cats or dogs into New Zealand that are aboard their yachts must seek permission from MAFBNZ before doing so. Animals must meet particular biosecurity Import Health Standards or have a Permit to Import issued by MAFBNZ prior to their importation. Animals imported on yachts must remain secured aboard the craft.

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How do I know if there will be any Customs charges on my imported cat or dog?

Animals are free of import duty but subject to GST on importation. Animals that have a combined value of NZ$400 or more, which includes the Customs value of the animal plus the freight and insurance charges to transport the animal to New Zealand, will be subject to GST charges levied at 12.5% of that value. An Import Transaction fee will apply to animals being imported for commercial purposes that have a revenue collectable amounting to $50 or more and, personal pet importations that have a Customs value of $1,000 or more.

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Temporary importation of cats and dogs

Cats and dogs that are being imported temporarily for a period of 12 months or less may be entered on a Customs temporary import entry. GST charges are not levied on goods imported temporarily on the basis that those goods will be re-exported within 12 months of their importation. However, Customs may require a refundable cash deposit as a security over the GST payable pending the export of the animal.

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What is the Customs value?

The Customs value is the value applied to imported goods for the purposes of levying duty and GST. For imported goods, the valuation of the goods is in accordance with schedule 2 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996. This generally means the price paid or payable for the goods when sold for export to New Zealand.

For Customs purposes, all goods (including animals) have a value, even if supplied free of charge or gifted. Where cats or dogs have been acquired other than by sale, an alternative valuation method must be applied. When determining a value for an animal that has been acquired at no cost to the importer, Customs will generally use values that have been applied to identical or similar cats or dogs to determine the Customs value.

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Are there any duty or valuation concessions applicable to cats and dogs?

Yes. Presents or gifts (which may include pets) sent from persons abroad to persons resident in New Zealand may be granted a full or part concession depending on the Customs value of those goods.

• Gifts with a value of NZ$110 or less may be admitted free of duty and GST.
• Gifts exceeding $110 in total value may attract Customs charges on the value in excess of $110.

For returning New Zealand residents and new immigrants to New Zealand, a duty/GST concession may be applied in respect of an animal where a person who –

(a) Has arrived in New Zealand and on the date the animal is imported hold a document authorising residence in New Zealand; and
(b) For the whole of the period of 21 months preceding his or her arrival, has resided outside New Zealand or has been domiciled outside New Zealand; and
(c) Has personally owned and cared for their imported animal outside New Zealand before the date of his or her departure for New Zealand.

Persons importing animals and meeting conditions (a)-(c) may have their animal admitted free of Customs charges.

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Where do I go to get a Customs clearance?

Customs clearances for animals may be obtained at any Customs office around New Zealand. However, international airlines are currently only transporting animals from overseas to the main centre airports at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Customs offices servicing the main centres are as follows:

Auckland
Customhouse
50 Anzac Avenue
Auckland
Phone: 09-359 6655
Fax: 09-359 6731

or

c/o Auckland Biosecurity Inspection Centre
Tom Pearce Drive
Auckland Airport
Phone: 09-256 5227 or 09-256 5228
Fax: 09-256 4010
Wellington

The Customhouse
17-21 Whitmore Street
Wellington
Phone: 04-473 0699
Fax: 04-462 0155

Christchurch
The Customhouse
6 Orchard Road
Christchurch Airport
Phone: 03-358 0600
Fax: 03-358 0604

For further information, contact your nearest office of the New Zealand Customs Service, visit the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz, or call Customs on 0800-428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS).  

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